The Cincinnati Bengals have chosen to be without the services of rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton for Saturday’s must-win Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Per ESPN’s Ben Baby, the Bengals announced that Jermaine Burton won’t travel for Saturday’s game (8:00 p.m. EST) due to “a coach’s decision” by Zac Taylor. So barring a Cincy win and some help on Sunday, Burton’s disappointing rookie year will come to a forgettable end.
The Bengals (8-8) must defeat their AFC North rivals on the road to keep their playoff hopes alive. They also need losses from the Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs) and Miami Dolphins (at New York Jets) to get in.
Though Miami will likely be without Tua Tagovailoa for Sunday’s game with a hip injury, the Broncos essentially have a playoff berth on a silver platter. The Chiefs are resting most of their key starters with the AFC’s top seed locked up.
Though Miami will likely be without Tua Tagovailoa for Sunday’s game with a hip injury, the Broncos essentially have a playoff berth on a silver platter. The Chiefs are resting most of their key starters with the AFC’s top seed locked up.
The Bengals drafted Jermaine Burton in round three (No. 80 overall) in April, hoping he could serve as the No. 3 wideout following Tyler Boyd’s departure. But the Alabama product has just four catches for 107 yards, with the latter mark placing him ninth on the team.
Jermaine Burton Needs To Reset For 2025
Burton certainly hasn’t had a rookie year to remember, but it’s obviously a little early to judge a young player off one inconsistent season. It’s not like every NFL great left a great first impression, after all.
Jermaine Burton just has to learn from the mistake (whatever it was that caused Taylor to bench him) and better prepare himself for 2025. With Tee Higgins likely to leave in free agency, Burton could see an expanded role as a complementary WR to superstar Ja’Marr Chase.
